BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Feb. 9, 2026) - Texas Woman's softball wrapped up preconference play Sunday at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic with a walk-off home run from Marissa Espinoza, lifting the Pioneers to a 3-2 victory over Maryville University and securing TWU's second win of the season.

TWU finished the weekend 1-3 overall after splitting its two games Sunday, rebounding from an 0-2 start on Saturday.

The Pioneers faced a mix of familiar and new opponents during the weekend, falling to Harding, Southern Arkansas and No. 24 Missouri Southern before closing the tournament with the walk-off win over Maryville.

TWU opened the tournament with a rematch against Harding, who jumped out to a 2-0 lead through four innings. The Pioneers answered in the top of the seventh, tying the game at 2-2 on RBI hits from Tamia Cherry and Madison Luz that scored Marissa Espinoza and Cherry. Harding, however, responded in the bottom half of the inning with a walk-off run to secure the win.

In the second game, TWU again found themselves playing from behind, trailing 4-0 before scoring their first runs in the final two innings. Lizzie Smith launched a solo home run in the sixth, and Zaryah Williams added an RBI in the seventh, but the comeback attempt fell short.

On the final day of the Classic, TWU faced Missouri Southern for the second time. The Pioneers flipped the script early, scoring in the opening inning as Espinoza and Cherry crossed the plate. The Lions answered with seven unanswered runs after the second inning and added an insurance run in the fifth. TWU mounted a late rally in the seventh with three consecutive RBIs, but Missouri Southern held on for an 8-5 victory.

Determined to finish the weekend strong, TWU closed the tournament against Maryville on Sunday. The Saints opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning before Trinity Perry answered with her first career home run to tie the game. Maryville regained the lead with another solo shot in the fifth.

With no outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the seventh, Espinoza delivered the final blow, launching a two run home run to left field to seal the 3-2 walk-off win for the Pioneers.

IMPACT PLAYERS (4 Games)

• Marissa Espinoza: 6 hits, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, HR

• Trinity Perry: 1 hit, RBI, HR, 6 putouts

• Madison Lux: 3 hits, 2 RBIs

• Randi Crawford: 13 IP, 10 SO, 2.16 ERA

PIONEER POWER MOMENTS

Game 1 vs. Harding

• TWU rallied in the top of the seventh inning, tying the game at 2-2 on RBI hits from Cherry and Lux after trailing 2-0 through six innings.

Game 2 vs. Southern Arkansas

• Smith sparked the offense with a solo home run in the sixth inning and Williams added an RBI in the seventh as TWU attempted a late comeback.

Game 3 vs. No. 24 Missouri Southern

• The Pioneers struck first with two runs in the opening inning. TWU mounted a seventh-inning rally with three consecutive RBIs to cut into the deficit.

Game 4 vs. Maryville

• Perry hit her first career home run to tie the game in the fourth inning.

• Espinoza delivered a walk-off two-run home run in the seventh to secure TWU's second win of the season.

Next Up
The Pioneers open conference play at home at Dianne Baker Field in Denton, Texas, hosting defending national champion UT Tyler on Saturday, Feb. 14.

-PIONEERS-